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By now you are aware that this winter has wreaked havoc on our school calendar. As I have said in previous letters, I am very grateful for your understanding as the district attempts to navigate its way to June. While it is my hope that the full spring break will remain intact, one more snow day will impact April 3, making it a school day.

As I reflect on the first five months of this school year, I am pleased to report that overall the number of suspensions has decreased significantly from the previous year. This is certainly a benefit to the faculty, staff and administration since it allows us to spend more time on educational matters as opposed to disciplinary concerns. More importantly, it is a compliment to you, their parents and guardians who have dedicated your lives to teaching your children respect, compassion and concern for others. Every day I see students exude these qualities by caring for their peers. I am not suggesting that we have reached perfection regarding overall student behavior and discipline; only that we have made progress and will continue to create a school community where all students are welcomed with respect and diversity is cherished.

Both teachers and students are working hard to prepare for the PARCC which is scheduled for next month. This important assessment will help teachers support student learning by identifying specific areas of strengths and weaknesses. It will also be used to inform parents of their child’s preparation for post high school study or work. Moreover, the results will help our district make informed decisions regarding the curriculum, instructional decisions and professional development. To explain more about this important assessment our district will host a parent information night on February 18 at 7:00 p.m. entitled “A Walk in the PARCC.” I hope you’ll review the flyer that was recently sent home, and find time in your busy schedules to attend.

I have often mentioned how fortunate we are to have a board of education that is dedicated to ensuring the success of each student. As the superintendent, I work with these members closely, so I can attest to the incredible amount of time they spend on issues like policy, finance, facilities, and negotiations, just to name a few. I would like to welcome to the Hardyston Board of Education our two newest members; Mr. Nick Demsak and Mr. David Van Ginneken. I am confident that they will continue the good work begun by their predecessors.

Sincerely,

Richard R. Corbett, Ed. D.

We encourage you to visit our website at www.htps.org to stay abreast of all the happenings of the Hardyston School District. Our parent portal is an excellent source for information regarding your student’s academic progress. Please refer to the instructions for the Realtime Parent Portal located on our website.